The Summer 2025 Transfer Window Thread

[The Bear]

The PL is an unforgiving testing ground for a 17 year old though. Especially in a key position like striker.

Surely he'd be better off getting a season on loan under his belt being first choice at a League 2 club or somewhere similar.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

The PL is an unforgiving testing ground for a 17 year old though. Especially in a key position like striker.

Don't we just know it...

 

[Kenny]

The PL is an unforgiving testing ground for a 17 year old though. Especially in a key position like striker.

Surely he'd be better off getting a season on loan under his belt being first choice at a League 2 club or somewhere similar.

Don't disagree but going off what Vitor has said.

I will back his judgement over mine. I believe he has a decent record managing younger players into 1st teams

 

[sycophantia]

It'll probably blow up in my face by October when he breaks again, but id like us to keep Sasa as the back up.

Surely it ticks a lot of boxes? He'll be committed, yet happy to start as a back up for JSL, he's already our player, hes a logical "type" of back up for JSL, he seems to be a good bloke with a good attitude.

He can just as easily stay with us as a back up to rebuild his fitness/career as go somewhere else.

If it's Sasa or nothing, then yes I'd agree, just don't think he'll ever play more than a,few games before he breaks. Also how much will he push himself, his injuries will always be in his mind, he's had so many over his whole career.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Surely he'd be better off getting a season on loan under his belt being first choice at a League 2 club or somewhere similar.

I have thought this in general terms.

But it hasn't worked well for us in recent times has it?

I think 10 Prem appearances off the bench and a couple of cup starts are more valuable than 30 games at League 2 with shit facilities and God knows what type coach and chaos possible at that club.

 

[Lycan]

If Hwang doesn't move on he will be fine as backup for either JSL or just behind/wide. He'll at least be motivated to play well and get back in the team, as per his recent interview.

Hwang will never be fine as a back up as he can't be counted on to stay fit for more than a few weeks at a time.

 

[lemonjelly]

Has Jorge got something set up with Alverca?

Chiquinho and now Meupiyou moving there. Generally if something doesn't make full sense, Jorge will be behind it.

could alverca be the new grasshoppers zurich? Relationship to develop players (appreciate the ones referenced seem to be sales, not loans mind)

 

[Lycan]

could alverca be the new grasshoppers zurich? Relationship to develop players (appreciate the ones referenced seem to be sales, not loans mind)

They're part owned by Vinicius Jr

 

[NicholasG1973]

Hwang will never be fine as a back up as he can't be counted on to stay fit for more than a few weeks at a time.

Agreed.

A back up striker will need to start at least a few games, and be expected to score goals.

Hwang is not fit for purpose as a Premier League starting striker - he is nowhere near good enough.

 

[Jinky]

I suspect Mane has been told to expect some minutes this season in order to sign a contract with us. There were rumours of other clubs sniffing around, no?

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Agreed.

A back up striker will need to start at least a few games, and be expected to score goals.

We've always struggled to get this sort of player in, going back to Bonatini!

 

[AndyWolves]

I have thought this in general terms.

But it hasn't worked well for us in recent times has it?

I think 10 Prem appearances off the bench and a couple of cup starts are more valuable than 30 games at League 2 with shit facilities and God knows what type coach and chaos possible at that club.

Only if they're good enough to justify the position

 

[Alan]

He’s better than Zubar then anyway

It’s one of the great tragedies if our time that the old video of his Marseille “highlights” is no longer on YouTube. You could feel the hatred seeping out of the video description (written in French, presumably from a Marseillaise who was praying furiously that some dipshit English club was actually going to free them from having to watch Ronald).

Fuck, now I’ve remembered that Zubes was at NYRB for a bit. Spoiler: he was bad.

 

[Alan]

We've always struggled to get this sort of player in, going back to Bonatini!

Poor Léo. It was so strange the way he just flamed out after he was so good for the first half-ish of the Champo title season.

He’ll always have the assist for Adama’s winner against West Ham, though!

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Only if they're good enough to justify the position

That feels like a unicorn to me.

A player that isn't good enough to start, but good enough to sit on the bench, come off it and grab goals, is not going to be happy sitting on the bench.

Therefore it needs to be a player with a questionable fitness record, an older player, or a kid.

Who are they if they aren't Sasa, Hwang and Mane?

 

[AndyWolves]

That feels like a unicorn to me.

A player that isn't good enough to start, but good enough to sit on the bench, come off it and grab goals, is not going to be happy sitting on the bench.

Therefore it needs to be a player with a questionable fitness record, an older player, or a kid.

Who are they if they aren't Sasa, Hwang and Mane?

I meant in respect of young players. I don't see any point in giving PL experience to a youth player if he simply isn't good enough.

The PL is the most competitive league in the world, and players need to prove they're able to contribute.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Poor Léo. It was so strange the way he just flamed out after he was so good for the first half-ish of the Champo title season.

He’ll always have the assist for Adama’s winner against West Ham, though!

Playing in Mexico now! I assumed he was still at Grasshoppers.

 

[Kenny]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1947659945731608882

 

[Alan]

Playing in Mexico now! I assumed he was still at Grasshoppers.

I can’t believe I missed that! How embarrassing.

 

[C.L.D]

I'd rather Sasa than Hwang if we're keeping one as a backup ST. I still can't believe they turned down that money for Hwang when he had that unsustainable (and kinda bizarre) goal scoring run.